Lubricant dispensing apparatus



Patented Oct. 23,

"PATENT". OFFICE I LUBRICANT DISPENSING APPARATUS John M. Marshall andEdwin C. Thomas,

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application January 13, 1934, Serial No. 706,501 9 Claims. (01. 221-471)Our invention relates to improvements in lubricant dispensing apparatus,and more particularly to heating means therefor.

Automatic lubricant dispensers of large capacity, such as, for example,those employed asstandard equipment in garages and automobile servicestations, are generally operated either electrically or by means ofcompressed air.

Where it is necessary to operate the compressed season, considerabledifliculty has been encoun-- tered due to the hardening of the lubricantin the cold temperature, and the freezing of the air-operated parts ofthe device, particularly at the exhaust outlet.

It is a prime object of this invention to provide a heating means forsuch lubricant dispensers for eifecting a ready and uniform flow of thelubricant, and to superheat the exhaust air to prevent ice formation andthe resulting interruption of operation.

Additional objects are to provide a construction capable of readyapplication to and co-operation with present standard forms ofair-operated lubricant dispensers; and to provide a construction havingsimplicity and low cost of manufacture.

Further objects will become apparent from the following description,taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein;

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a lubricant dispensing apparatusembodying our invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the broken line II-II of Fig.1; r C

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of a portion of Fig. 1, showing a modifiedform of theinvention; and

Fig. .4 is a similar View of a further modification.

Referring to the drawing, A designates generally a lubricant dispensingapparatus of well known form,,for the highpressure dispensing ofgreases. Said device includes a grease tank or reservoir5 having abottomoutlet Scommunieating with a working barrel 7 containing a reciprocableplunger 8. I

Plunger 8 is mounted for reciprocation by means of a piston 9 within acylinder 10, constituting an air-actuated grease pump, receiving andexhausting compressed air through a port 11 of said cylinder inalternate communication with an air inlet port 12 and an outlet ordischarge port 13, controlled by an automatically operable slide valve14, as will be readily understood. Air under pressure is supplied fromany. suitable source to the inlet port 12 by a pipe line 15.

In present practice, theplunger 8 expels a charge of grease from itsbarrel 7 and discharges said grease through a check valve 16 into anattached hose or conduit 1'? which may be connected by any suitablemeans (not shown) to the part air driven dispenser out-of-doors in thewinter or parts being lubricated. Rapid and repeated strokes of theplunger 8 build up high pressures on the grease aga-nst the obstructionof the said receiving part or parts.

The air exhaust port 13 of the pump in present equipment is opendirectly to the atmosphere. In cold weather, the air operating the pumpis discharged at a temperature below the freezing point.

Any moisture in the exhaust air will collect in the exhaust pipe andabout the port 13 as frost,

. application of a single heating means in the following manner.

The lubricant dispenser Ais preferably enclosed within a heat insulatingcasing or cabinet 18 of any desired construction. For example, we haveshown such a cabinet formed of wood with an exterior shell 19 of sheetmetal and an interior lining 20 of asbestos, and including a removablecover 21. The connection for the hose 17 is extended outside of thecabinet 18 by means of a sleeve or nipple 22 threaded at its outer endto couple said hose and having threaded connection at its inner endwith'the Working barrel '7 or its check valve 16.

In the design of the dispenser illustrated, the air exhaust of the pumptakes place around a reduced end portion of the valve 14 extendingwithin the exhaust port 13, which construction is enclosed within thecabinet 18 when applied. Means are provided in the form of a bonnet 23for surrounding said port and introducing the exhaust air into aconnected pipe or coil 24'. The

manner as by threads, screws, or the like.

Said pipe 24 is passed upwardly within the cabinet asubstantial distanceand is looped or coiled at its upper portion as at 25, returningdownwardly and thence outwardly of the cabinet at 26 for final externalair exhaust. A clamp or bracket 27 may be employed for securing the por-131011 25 of the pipe to a side wall of the cabinet,

. bonnet 23 may be secured in place in any suitable V nections 29 withan external source of current 30 through an intervening switch or wallbox 31. In Figs. 1 and 2, we have shown such element 28 in the form of'a ring or disk supported from the wall of the cabinet in closeproximity to the exhaust pipe 24 by an insulator pin 32. f 7

Hence, during the operation of the apparatus in low temperatures, theheat from the element 28" will pervade the interior of the cabinet 18 towarm hose 17.

By reason of its close proximity to the exhaust pipe 24, or morespecifically, the loop or coil 25 thereof, the element 28 will superheatthe exhaust air passing therethrough', whereby said air will be Idischarged at-26 into the atmosphere at a much higher temperature thanheretofore, thereby doing away with the undesirable formation of icement 28 to control the same within certain desirable limits.

In Fig. 3, we have shown a modification em- .ijbodying means forheatingthe incoming air prior to" its introduction intothe pump. In thisform, a-hollow cylindrical heating element 28wis employed in the samerelation to the-portion of the exhaust pipe 24 as before, and havingtheair .risintakeline 15a coiled about its exterior.

increased temperature. 40 A still further modification is illustrated ingFigp4fwherein a'flatelongated electric heating element 28b is used,having the intake and ex haustpipes=15b and 24a disposed on either sideof the element and extending longitudinally thereof, The elementandadjacent pipe por-" gg tionsare venclosedwithin a metal case 34filled with asbestos cement, whereby heat istransmit-- ted'to theairins'aid pipes 'for sup'erh'eatingthe' same, and heatis radiated fromthe case 34 of' ;,;net 18*as-before.

Further-changes and modifications are contemplated 1 withinthe I scope iof the following l i I w i M 3 What we claim is: v

1. In a lubricant dispensing apparatus, an air- 50 the entire assemblyto heat the interior of cabiactuated lubricant pump having air inlet andex haust ports, a heat insulating cabinet enclosing saidpump, an airexhaust pipe disposed 'within' 0 the cabinet having connection with theexhaustta-port and terminating outside said cabinetyand heating-meansdisposed within the cabinet for heatingthe exhaust air in said pipe, asand for-the purpose described. In-a lubricant dispensing apparatus, alubrieant reservoir, an air-actuated lubricant pump therefor havingairinletand exhaust" ports, 'a

heat insulating cabinet enclosing said reservoir andpump, an' airexhaust pipe disposed within 7(:, the cabinet'having' connection withthe exhaust g port and terminating outside saidcabinet; and"heating-means disposed within the" cabinet for heating-the-interiorofthe cabinet and the ex the grease contained in the tank"5,"as well asthat in the working barrel 7, and maintain a .uniform flow thereof fromthe dispenser into the Such. construction further, aids in'superheatingthe air whereby it will be discharged at 26 atgreatly bricant holdertherein, a lubricant ejector in disactuated motor having a supply andexhaust conbricant holdertherein, alubricant'ejector in dis-f heater'withinthe"cabinet, and means subjecting haust air in said pipe, as andfor the purpose described.

3. In a lubricantdispensing apparatus, an airactuated pump having inletand exhaust ports,

a heat insulating cabinet enclosing said pump,

., .an air exhaustpipe having a substantial portion thereof disposedwithin the cabinet, said pipe having connection with the exhaust portand terminating outside said cabinet, an air inlet pipe disposed withintl'ie cabinet, and heating means in thecabinet positioned in closeproximity to both of said pipes, for heating the incoming and exhaustair, asand for the purpose described.

4. Ida lubricant dispensing apparatus, a lubricant reservoir, anair-actuated lubricant pump therefor having air inlet, and. exhaustports, a heat 1 insulating cabinet enclosing said reservoir and'pump, anair exhaust pipe having asubstan tial portion thereof disposed withinthe cabinet, said pipe having connection with the exhaust port andterminating outside said cabinet, an air inlet pipe disposed within thecabinet, and heating means disposed in. the cabinet in close proximitytoboth of said pipes, for heating the interior of the cabinet and theincoming and exhaust air in said pipes, as and for the purposedescribed.

5. In alubricant dispensing apparatus, an airactuated lubricant pumphaving air inlet and exhaust ports, a heat insulating cabinet enclosingsaid pump, a heating element disposed within the cabinet, and an airexhaust pipe connecting said exhaust port and having a portion there: ofdisposed 'withinthe cabinet in fixed relation to the heating element forheating the exhaust 11C air in saidpipe whereby saidair is dischargedloutside the cabinet at a superheated temperature','a s' and for thepurpose described.

6. In combination, anenclosing cabinet, a lupensing co'mmunication withthe holder, an air actuated; motor havinga supply and exhaust conduitleading into and out from the holder, a heater within the cabinet, andmeans subjecting circulating motor airto heater action within thecabinet; I

'7.-"In combination, an enclosingcabinet, a lubricant'holdertl'i'erein;a" lubricant ejector in dispensing communication with the" holder, anair-' duit leading into andOut fromthe holder, a heater withinthecabinet, andmeans subjecting incoming motor air to h eate'r'actio'riwithin"th'e,

cabinet.

8:In combination, an enclosing cabinet a lupensing communication withthe holder," an air-I actuated motor having asupply and exhaust"con+1duit leadinginto' and out from the holder, a"

in the cabinet. 9. In combination, an enclosing cabinet, a luoutgoingmotor exhaust air to heater actionwith- "bricant holdert herein,ajlubricant ejector in dispensing communication with the holder, anairactuated motor havingfasupply and exhaust conduit leading into'a'ndput'ifrom the holder, a

heater within thecabinet, and means subjecting incoming motor supply airand outgoing mo-' tor exhaustair to heateraction within the cabi- 45net. a

JOHN M. MARsfi ALL. Enwm o; THQMAS, I

